Mumbai based Lt Col Dharamdatt Goel turns adversity into inspiration after losing leg in Kashmir

Once a professor at Juhursquos SNDT Mumbairsquos DD Goel never imagined that life in the army lay ahead Now an ambassador to the current chapter of lsquoSoldierathonrsquo in Pune November 15 where civilians are invited to run with soldiers serving the country to get to know them better Lt Col Goel feels that despite Indiarsquos huge defence budget of mdash nearly 13 per cent mdash most civilians still experience a disconnect with army life ldquoWe hope to bridge that gap so people better understand the services and their opportunitiesrdquo Goel told middaypopcorn number2022 descYear Lt Col Dharamdatt Goel retired from the armed forces classDefaultFirst stepshellipGoel initially remained distanced from the armed services ldquoA friend told me there was an opening that would be right for me I was averse but went along just so I could see the cantonment from insiderdquo he said Before he knew it he cracked the interview cleared SSBs became part of the Sikh Regiment and was posted in Kashmir for his mission all at the age of 26Revisit to KashmirIn 2022 after Goel was called to Kashmir again on a mission he visited the same base camp and saw his life come full circle ldquoOnly then did I visualise what must have happened to me and how my comrades rescued me that dayrdquo he said That year Lt Col Dharamdatt Goel retired from the armed forcesNo barrier too highDespite facing plenty of hurdles during his recovery Goel was set on leading life on his own terms ldquoI was very reckless and spirited during my youth I once even quit education to work at a dhaba I thought if I could be so willed back then why couldnrsquot I live on my own terms nowrdquo he said Now Goel has made it to the World Book of Records as the first Indian to ski on a prosthetic leg while he has also been paragliding skydiving running marathons riding his motorbike and learning how to danceBridging gapsAt 50 Goel is now a motivational speaker author and a proud sportsman ldquoWe bear in mind the sacrifices army men have made for our country and we hope to walk with our city folks and share the sentiment with them bridging all gapsrdquo he saidLOC antiterror oplsquoWithin a fractionhelliprsquo Lt Col Dharamdatt GoellsquoI spotted a few candy wrappers and was certain about the infiltration activity but was unable to get the proper coordinates for our location I decided to venture ahead all alone to get a clearer reading Nearly 400 metres beyond the LoC I saw a pit with ashes and I treaded close to inspect it but before I knew it there was a loud blast It all happened within a fraction of a second I looked behind and asked my troops to take guard but they all remained still and looked aghast at me The blast had come from an IED Improvised Explosive Device I stepped on where I lost my legrsquoLooking for infiltratorsNearly five months into his service Goel ventured close to the Line of Control LoC at an elevation of nearly 13000 feet The troops were tasked with looking for possible infiltrators and ascertaining a location for setting up an army baseDecision to continueOwing to poor weather conditions Goel was evacuated only after 23 hours Despite an amputated leg Goel chose not to retire from the army and continued as a trainer and an instructor for 20 years